There’s a world of hidden treasures waiting for you, lurking right behind those shiny, perfectly arranged grocery shelves of pristine products. You know the ones—the items that scream, “I’m fresh! I’m new! I’m the trendy choice!” But savvy shoppers like us aren’t fooled. We know the real goldmine is in the markdown sections, where items tiptoe toward their best-by dates, just waiting for someone brave (and thrifty) enough to snatch them up.

Think of it like an adventurous treasure hunt, but instead of buried chests filled with doubloons, we’re talking about half-priced yogurt, steaks on clearance, and cheese that’s been “aged” just a bit more than usual.

So grab your metaphorical treasure map and let’s dive into this uncharted world of marked-down goodies before they expire—without your budget expiring first.

The “Best-Before” Mirage: What Do Those Dates Even Mean?

Before we start sniffing around for discounts, let’s address the elephant in the room: Best-by Dates.

Spoiler alert—they’re not as final as they seem.

The truth is, “best-by” doesn’t mean “bad-after”.

It’s more like, “Hey, we can’t guarantee this will taste as awesome after this date, but you probably won’t die”.

Most products, especially non-perishables like crackers, cereal, and canned goods, are still perfectly fine to consume past their best-by date.

They may lose a bit of their peak freshness, but let’s be real—how many times have you eaten a slightly stale cookie and thought, “Meh, still pretty good?”

USE BY vs. BEST BY DATES

When it comes to “Use By” versus “Best By” dates, keep in mind that Use By has to do with safety and Best By is quality related. Do NOT ignore Use By dates when it has to do with things like infant formula and meats. Best By is much more open-ended and has to do with freshness, quality, and flavor.

The Stores You Should Be Stalking for Markdowns

Now that we’ve cracked the best-by code, let’s get to the fun part—shopping.

Some grocery stores like ALDI simply sell meats, breads, and produce to quickly to have markdowns.

Other stores like Safeway made it a policy to STOP doing markdowns because shoppers were moving clearance stickers to full-priced items.

With that said, below are the stores that are the Meccas of markdowns when it comes to nearly-expired food.

See Also: The Best Fast Food Dupes That’ll Save You Big

1. Target: Bullseye for Deals

Yes, that Target. It’s not just the place you go for cute throw pillows, a new lamp you didn’t need, and five dollar coffees from the Starbucks at the entrance.

Target also has an impressive collection of markdowns in its grocery section.

As the days tick closer to those best-by dates, Target employees start slapping those sweet, sweet yellow and red clearance stickers on everything from refrigerated items to dry goods.

You’ll find markdowns on dairy, bread, and meat.

PRO TIP: MEATS AT TARGET

I had a Target employee tell me that they start marking down meats by 25% 2-3 days before the “Use/Freeze By”. Then on the day before this date, they mark meats down by 50%. Use this information to time your purchases and stock up your freezer on the cheap.

And if you’re lucky, you might even stumble upon some fancy deli items or snacks that are still perfectly fine but “too close” to their best-by date for full price.

A word of warning: Prepare yourself mentally. Those clearance stickers are going to be your new obsession.

You’ll start scanning every aisle like an undercover detective, hunting for the next discount.

See Also: How To Find a Target Salvage Store and Save Huge

2. Walmart: Low Prices—and Even Lower Markdowns

Walmart is known for its everyday low prices, but they also have a not-so-secret markdown section for items nearing their expiration.

This is especially true in the meat, bakery, and dairy sections, where they want to move inventory fast before it technically “expires” (though, again, it’s still safe for you to buy!).

PRO TIP

I had a Walmart employee tell me that they are done with their daily markdowns by 8 a.m., so shopping between 8 – 9 a.m. will give you first dibs on meats and bakery item deals. Look for marked down bakery items in a separate “markdown section” while meats that have been marked down are mixed in with the full priced stuff.

While Walmart doesn’t have as many unique or gourmet items as Grocery Outlet or Target, they’re fantastic for basic groceries like milk, eggs, and bread.

Plus, if you time your trips right, you can score some hefty discounts on family-sized packs of meat, perfect for stocking up and freezing for later.

If you’re really looking to save, keep an eye out for that sneaky little corner where all the baked goods go before they wave goodbye.

You could walk out with enough discounted donuts and muffins to keep your coworkers fat and happy for a week.

3. Trader Joe’s: Yes, They Discount Too

Trader Joe’s might seem too cool for markdowns, but guess what? Even they like to clean house when items approach their best-by dates.

While they don’t typically have a specific clearance section, savvy shoppers know to look for items with reduced prices as they get close to their expiration.

The best part? You’re not sacrificing quality. TJ’s markdowns mean you can get your hands on those organic almond butters, fancy hummus varieties, and vegan cheeses for a fraction of the price.

PRO TIP

The flowers at Trader Joe’s sometimes get marked down too. So not only can you grab dinner for cheap, but you can also pick up a bouquet for yourself because you, my friend, deserve it. Or for someone special, that works too of course.

See Also: Trader Joe’s Employees Tell Me Their Best Buys

4. Whole Foods: For the Fancy Frugal Shopper

Okay, hear me out. Whole Foods isn’t exactly known for its low prices.

In fact, most of us associate it with spending way too much on kombucha and artisanal cheeses.

But for the deal hunters, there’s a secret realm here, too.

Whole Foods tends to discount its fresh items—like meats, seafood, and bakery products—when they get close to their best-by dates.

Yes, it’s true, you can eat like a health-conscious billionaire without spending like one.

And with Amazon Prime members getting an extra 10% off sales items, it feels like they’re practically giving this stuff away. (Okay, maybe not giving it away, but at least you won’t need to sell a kidney to afford groceries this week.)

PRO TIP: ALL ABOUT WEDNESDAYS

I had a friendly Whole Foods employee tell me Wednesday is consistently the very best day to shop. Not only is the store less crowded than weekends, but it’s when they start their new weekly sales cycle. So you’ll be able to take advantage of new items and new sales before anyone else and BEFORE they sell out of the really good deals.

5. Winco Foods: Savings in 10 U.S. States

Unfortunately, Winco Foods is only located in 10 western states, but I HAD to add them to my list as I shop their regularly.

Make the Green Tags at Winco your best friend as those are the products that have begun their markdown schedule.

You’ll find them mainly on breads, meats, and some produce items.

If they don’t sell out, the tags will go to RED which means “Extreme Savings” and is the best deals you’re going to find in the store.

Great time to stock up and put meats and bread in the freezer for later use.

PRO TIP: SHOP EARLY AT WINCO

Winco stores are open 24 hours, so SHOP EARLY in the morning. The earlier the better as you’ll have a quiet store, and more importantly, first dibs on new markdowns as those tend to get added very early in the morning and are often all snatched up by mid-afternoon.

See Also: Shop on the Right Day…12 Insider Tips on Store Markdown Days

6. Grocery Outlet: The Disneyland of Discounts

Grocery Outlet has made its name on being the place where bargains go to party.

This store is filled to the brim with items that are near or just past their best-by date, but still totally edible (and delicious).

It’s like the Robin Hood of grocery stores, taking from the pricey mainstream chains and giving to us, the budget-conscious folks.

Here, you’ll find everything from gourmet cheeses to organic meats, all marked down to prices so low you’ll feel like you’re getting away with something.

One shopper described it as “Black Friday, but without the elbows to the face.”

PRO TIP

Don’t get too attached to anything you buy here. Grocery Outlet’s stock changes faster than a toddler’s mood. What’s there one week may be gone the next, so if you see a deal, snag it.

7. Local Grocery Chains: The Untapped Goldmine

Finally, don’t forget to check your local grocery chains.

Every regional store has its own markdown habits, often marking down meats, dairy, and bakery items as they approach the best-by date.

Some regional stores, like Kroger or Publix, even have special “Manager’s Specials” where you can get everything from fresh produce to bakery treats at deep discounts.

These local stores often have more sporadic markdown schedules, so ask an employee about their markdown schedule and commit it to memory.

See Also: Ultimate Buying Guide: Best Day of the Week to Make Purchases

Timing Is Everything: How to Maximize Your Saving

To really win big in the markdown game, you need to understand one thing: Timing is Everything.

Most stores mark down items early in the morning, but others may discount products later in the day or just before closing.

The key is to find out when your store typically does its markdowns.

Ask an employee or, better yet, become such a regular that they start calling you by name and tipping you off about upcoming deals.

For perishable items like meat and dairy, markdowns usually happen as the products are within a few days of their best-by date.

Be sure to check the markdown section first when you shop.

It’s like going straight for dessert—totally acceptable in this context.

Also, don’t forget about holidays. The day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any major holiday, stores often mark down leftover items that are still perfectly good but just didn’t sell in time for the big day.

See Also: All The Popular Store Brands Made By Name Brands

Play It Safe: How to Shop Smart with Markdowns

Alright, while shopping markdowns is a great way to save, we’re not advocating for reckless abandon when it comes to consuming near-expired food.

There are a few simple guidelines you should follow to make sure you’re getting a great deal, not a stomach ache.

Check the packaging: If something is leaking, bulging, or just looks plain sad, skip it.

Smell it: While you can’t always do this in-store (people might give you strange looks if you start sniffing raw chicken in the meat aisle), definitely give items a whiff once you’re home. If it smells funky, trust your nose and toss it.

Freeze it: One of the best ways to take advantage of markdowns is to buy in bulk and freeze what you won’t use immediately.

Meat, bread, and even some dairy items like shredded cheese can be frozen for later.

Use it quickly: When you buy something that’s near its expiration date, plan to use it soon.

This might mean adjusting your weekly meal plan, but hey, that’s the price you pay for a bargain.

Happy bargain hunting, fellow inflation busters.

Ask the Reader: What national grocery stores am I missing that also do markdowns prior to sell-by or use-by dates? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)